The Ultimate BLT Cheeseburger with Crispy Bacon

If you're looking for the ultimate backyard burger, this Ultimate BLT Cheeseburger delivers everything you could want in one bite. A thick, juicy beef patty is topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and a creamy homemade burger sauce, all tucked inside a toasted brioche bun. It's rich, satisfying, and perfect for cookouts, family dinners, or weekend game days.

🕒 Prep Time 15 mins

🔥 Cook Time 15 mins

🍽️ Servings 4 burgers

Why You'll Love This Recipe

✔️ Thick, juicy beef burgers — every time, with the perfect 80/20 blend.
✔️ Crispy bacon — adds smoky, salty flavor that complements the beef.
✔️ Toasted brioche buns — stay soft yet sturdy enough to hold everything.
✔️ Homemade burger sauce — takes it to the next level with tangy, smoky flavor.
✔️ Easy enough for weeknight dinners — ready in about 30 minutes.
✔️ Perfect for grilling or stovetop cooking — works great either way.
✔️ Restaurant-quality results — at home, for a fraction of the cost.

Tools and Preparation

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Large skillet or grill — for cooking the burgers
• Cast iron pan (optional) — for perfect searing
• Mixing bowl — for combining the burger ingredients
• Spatula — for flipping the patties
• Tongs — for handling the bacon and buns
• Instant-read thermometer — for checking doneness

Why Each Tool Matters

Large skillet or grill: A heavy-bottomed skillet or a hot grill gives you that perfect sear on the patties. A cast iron pan retains heat exceptionally well.
Instant-read thermometer: Takes the guesswork out of burger doneness — 160°F (71°C) for medium.
Spatula: A wide, sturdy spatula lets you flip the burgers without breaking them apart.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, high-quality ingredients that come together to create the perfect burger. The 80/20 ground beef ensures juiciness, while the homemade burger sauce adds a tangy, smoky kick that ties everything together. Fresh toppings — lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles — provide the perfect crunch and freshness.

Steps To Create Recipe

1. Make the sauce. Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until smooth. Refrigerate while preparing the burgers.
2. Cook the bacon. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
3. Form the patties. Combine the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Divide into four equal portions and gently shape into patties about ¾ inch thick. Press a small indentation into the center of each patty to help them cook evenly.
4. Cook the burgers. Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for about 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium doneness. During the last minute of cooking, place two slices of cheddar cheese on each burger and cover briefly to melt.
5. Toast the buns. Butter the cut sides of the brioche buns and toast them until lightly golden.
6. Assemble. Spread burger sauce on both halves of each bun. Layer with bottom bun, lettuce, cheeseburger patty, three slices crispy bacon, tomato slices, onion (optional), pickles, more burger sauce, and top bun. Serve immediately.

How to Serve

The Ultimate BLT Cheeseburger is a complete meal on its own, but it's even better with classic sides. Serve it with crispy french fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, or a side of coleslaw. For a cookout or game day spread, pair it with potato salad, pasta salad, or baked beans.

For the ultimate burger night, set up a burger bar with all the toppings and let everyone build their own masterpiece. Don't forget plenty of napkins!

Good pairings: French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, pickle spears, baked beans, a cold beer, or a milkshake.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Overworking the meat. Overmixing develops the proteins and makes burgers tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
❌ Pressing down on the burgers while cooking. This squeezes out the juices and dries out the patty. Let them cook undisturbed.
❌ Flipping too often. Flip burgers only once — this gives them a beautiful crust.
❌ Not toasting the buns. Toasting creates a moisture barrier that prevents sogginess.
❌ Using cold meat straight from the fridge. Let the beef come to room temperature before cooking for more even cooking.
❌ Overcooking the burgers. Use a thermometer — 160°F (71°C) for medium. Overcooking dries them out.
❌ Skipping the rest. Let burgers rest for 3–5 minutes before serving to redistribute the juices.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator. Store leftover patties separately in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep lettuce and tomatoes separate until serving.
Freezer. Cooked burger patties freeze well for up to 3 months. Wrap individually before freezing.
Reheating. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can soften the bacon and bun.
Meal prep tip. Shape the patties up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook. Make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I grill these burgers?
A: Absolutely. They cook beautifully on both charcoal and gas grills. Just preheat the grill to medium-high heat and cook for 4–5 minutes per side.

Q: What's the best beef for burgers?
A: Ground chuck with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio provides the best balance of flavor and juiciness.

Q: Can I prepare the patties ahead of time?
A: Yes. Shape the patties up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook. Bring them to room temperature before grilling.

Q: Can I use turkey instead of beef?
A: Yes, but turkey cooks faster and benefits from careful monitoring to prevent drying out. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Q: Which cheese melts the best?
A: Cheddar, American, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and pepper jack are all excellent choices. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded.

Q: How do I keep the bun from getting soggy?
A: Toast the buns well and place lettuce on the bottom bun as a moisture barrier. You can also spread a thin layer of sauce on both halves.

Q: Can I make this a double burger?
A: Absolutely! Just use two smaller patties per burger and adjust the cooking time slightly. Double the cheese for maximum deliciousness.

Final Thoughts

The Ultimate BLT Cheeseburger is everything a burger should be — juicy, flavorful, and piled high with your favorite toppings. The combination of a perfectly cooked beef patty, crispy bacon, melted cheese, fresh vegetables, and tangy sauce is pure perfection. Whether you're firing up the grill for a summer cookout or making dinner on a weeknight, this burger delivers every time.

This is the kind of burger that makes you close your eyes and smile with every bite.

Ultimate BLT Cheeseburger

Juicy beef patty with crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and tangy sauce

Prep Time:
15 mins

Cook Time:
15 mins

Servings:
4 burgers

Ingredients Needed

For the Burgers

• Ground beef (80/20) — 2 lbs
• Kosher salt — 2 tsp
• Black pepper — 1 tsp
• Garlic powder — 1 tsp
• Onion powder — 1 tsp
• Worcestershire sauce — 1 tbsp

Toppings

• Cheddar cheese — 8 slices
• Bacon — 12 slices
• Lettuce leaves — 8
• Large tomatoes — 2, sliced
• Dill pickle slices — 8
• Red onion — 1, thinly sliced (optional)

Burger Sauce

• Mayonnaise — ½ cup
• Ketchup — 2 tbsp
• Yellow mustard — 1 tbsp
• Sweet pickle relish — 1 tbsp
• Garlic powder — 1 tsp
• Smoked paprika — ½ tsp
• Black pepper — ½ tsp

For Serving

• Brioche burger buns — 4
• Butter — for toasting buns

Directions

1. Whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate while preparing the burgers.
2. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
3. Combine ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Divide into four equal portions and shape into patties about ¾ inch thick. Press a small indentation in the center of each patty.
4. Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 4–5 minutes per side for medium doneness. During the last minute, top each with 2 slices of cheese and cover to melt.
5. Butter the cut sides of the brioche buns and toast until lightly golden.
6. Spread sauce on both halves of each bun. Layer: bottom bun, lettuce, cheeseburger patty, 3 slices bacon, tomato, onion (if using), pickles, more sauce, and top bun.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Storage: Store leftover patties in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Keep lettuce and tomatoes separate until serving.